John Keal Seating
At a time when many furniture makers were turning to cheaper materials for mass production, mid-century modern designer John Keal didn't shy away from utilizing quality woods in his work, like mahogany and walnut to create his coffee tables, cabinets and benches.
While little is known about Keal, he was part of a powerhouse group that collaborated with Los Angeles furniture manufacturer Brown-Saltman in the 1940s and ‘50s. Other designers who had partnered with the firm during the mid-20th century included Greta Magnusson Grossman, Paul Frankl, Paul Laszlo, and Gilbert Rohde, a New York City-born designer who would help legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer Herman Miller avert financial disaster during the Great Depression.
Brown-Saltman was established in 1923 and initially specialized in reproductions of furniture in period styles. When cofounder David Saltman met Frankl, the firm had discontinued its Early California collection and was producing modern furniture.
The Austrian-born Frankl was already a big name in decorating in California in the late 1930s — his clients were Hollywood movie stars who were drawn to pieces such as his Art Deco-style Skyscraper series and other biomorphically shaped designs that showed the influence of Chinese and Japanese forms (Brown-Saltman’s offerings were frequently demonstrative of Asian influences). Frankl had become interested in producing inexpensive furniture for middle-class consumers, and his 1940s-era collaboration with Brown-Saltman was a success — print advertisements touted his name as well as the fact that these furnishings, which drew on the clean lines of chrome-framed Bauhaus pieces but instead integrated organic materials, were intended for modern homes.
Keal’s work also fit snugly into what we now call California modernism, which derived from the Bauhaus and International Style movements, and revolutionized the way we build homes today, not only in the Golden State but across the globe. Keal created sleek end tables in walnut and topped with enameled copper and upholstered low-profile dining chairs framed in bleached mahogany for Brown-Saltman as well as other West Coast mid-century brands such as Glenn of California and Modeline.
Find vintage John Keal seating, storage pieces and tables on 1stDibs.
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Creator: John Keal
Brown Saltman Expandable Slat Bench by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury Brown Saltman expandable slat bench designed by John Keal. This ingenious design has two ends that pull-out extending to almost 94” long. A ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Seating
Materials
Walnut
John Keal Octagonal Stools in Walnut, USA 1950's
By John Keal
Located in New York, NY
John Keal Pair of Stools for Brown Saltzman of California.
Another pair available for COM.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
$6,000 / set
Vintage Expandable Solid Walnut Slatted Bench, Coffee Table by John Keal
By John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid Century Large Expandable Solid Walnut Wood Slatted Bench, Coffee Table, featuring a Slat Top and Tapered Legs, Joinery detail and Standing on Classic Mid Century Tapered Legs
Category
Mid-20th Century American John Keal Seating
Materials
Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
Chic Restored Set of 8 Cerused Mahogany Dining Chairs by John Keal, circa 1955
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent set of dining chairs is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored, newly upholstered and co...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Seating
Materials
Mahogany
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mcm Bleached Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Countryside, IL
John Keal for brown saltman mid century Bleached Mahogany dining chairs - set of 6.
Each armless chair measures: 20.5 wide x 24 deep x 30 h...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Seating
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Upholstery, Mahogany
Set of 4 John Keal for Brown Saltman Modern Upholstered Armchairs
By John Keal
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 Mid-Century American Modern (1950s) armchairs with stylized low arms with the back and seat upholstered in a beige / taupe circular patterned fabric and standing on 4 tapere...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Seating
Materials
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Sofa Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a wonderful example of a mid century modern sofa. Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman, the sofa is upholstered in a heathered beige linen blend fabric and sits on two esp...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Seating
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Set of Two ( 2 ) Triangular Low Profile Chairs in Walnut by John Keal for Brown
By John Keal
Located in Deland, FL
This is an ultra-rare set of 3-legged lounge chairs designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. The chairs feature their original hardware and can be hinged together for tandem seating in a myriad of combinations and shapes if desired. The solid walnut frames are exquisitely shaped and the stunning wood grain is offset perfectly by the newly re-upholstered seats (redone in a fabulous burnt orange with hints of violet knit fabric). If desired we have additional pieces from this series sold seperately; at the time of publishing this larger set is the largest intact original set available for sale in the North America. Whether you want the two exceptional low profile side side chairs...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Seating
Materials
Walnut
Modular 5-Piece Sectional of 3 Chairs and 2 Tables for Brown Saltman in Walnut
By John Keal
Located in Deland, FL
This is an ultra-rare set of 3-legged lounge chairs and two end tables designed by the legendary John Keal for Brown Saltman. All three chairs and two tables still feature their orig...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Seating
Materials
Walnut
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Beached Mahogany Dining Chairs - Pair
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Countryside, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Beached Mahogany Dining Chairs - Pair
Each chair measures: 22.5 wide x 21.5 deep x 30 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 17 i...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
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John Keal seating for sale on 1stDibs.
John Keal seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of John Keal seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by John Keal were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Charak Furniture Company, Romweber Furniture Co., and John Van Koert. Prices for John Keal seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,100 and can go as high as $28,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,200.